Chapter 60: The Gate of Death - A Blaze of Youth!

In the dense forests of the Land of Fire…

The ground was strewn with bodies, scattered in a gruesome array. Some were sliced into pieces, some charred black, while others had flesh peeling away or heads severed. A few corpses had even been crudely stitched together with wire. The scene was brutal and bloody.

Two Konoha shinobi, clad in green jumpsuits, stood guard before a supply cart, expressions grim. Opposite them stood seven shinobi bearing the headbands of Kirigakure. Each wielded a different weapon, and a twisted, bloodthirsty grin played on their faces.

"Fuguki, how about letting me take the last two? I just heard that kid call the other one 'father'—wouldn't it be poetic to stitch them together in death?"

Kushimaru Kuriarare's cold voice cut through the air as he casually flicked blood off his long sword, Nuibari.

(T/N: For understanding who is it: Nuibari. With it, he was not only able to precisely pierce multiple enemies in quick succession, but also stitch them together utilising a substantial length of wire attached to the blade.)

"Kushimaru, you've already had your fun. These two should be mine—my Kubikiribōchō has been dying for action," Jūzō Biwa said with a wicked smirk, his massive blade resting menacingly on his shoulder.

"Where do you two get off? Clean-up is always Hōzuki's job," chimed in Jinpachi Munashi , chuckling. His weapon, the explosive sword Shibuki, could summon countless explosive tags to obliterate enemies. But for this mission, stealth was key, so he couldn't unleash its full power.

Meanwhile, Raiga Kurosuki and Jinin Akebino stood silently by, disinterested in the bickering.

At Jinpachi's comment, Fuguki snorted, slamming his massive blade, Samehada, into the ground. "Those two barely have any chakra. They're not worth my time," he muttered. "Whoever wants to go, go. We aren't here for fun."

"Then let's take them together," Kushimaru said to Jūzō.

Jūzō gave a curt nod. "Fine, but stay out of my way. If you get yourself killed, I'm not responsible."

Kushimaru sneered. "Right back at you. I'd have no problem stitching your corpse to these Konoha trash."

"Father, what do we do now?" Guy's voice trembled as he eyed the fearsome Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. The moment they'd appeared, they'd slaughtered the comrades who had been assigned to this mission with them.

The sight had almost made him retch. These Kirigakure shinobi were beyond brutal.

Might Duy looked grim, positioning himself in front of his son. "Guy, stay back."

"No, Father! You can't take them alone. I won't run—I'll fight beside you to the end, no matter what!"

Duy gave Guy a warm smile. "Guy, I won't lose. You've forgotten my ace in the hole."

At his words, tears streamed down Guy's face. "Father… maybe there's another way…"

"Don't cry. If we don't give it everything, we'll both die here," Duy replied solemnly. He knew who stood before him: the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. Each with skills rivaling an elite Jonin, and together, they were said to be as powerful as Kage-level shinobi.

If he didn't go all out from the start, there'd be no chance for either of them to survive.

With that resolve, Duy looked back at his son, flashing a bright smile and a thumbs-up.

"Guy, watch closely—this is my time to burn with the fire of youth!"

Seeing the determination in his father's eyes, Guy clenched his jaw and moved back.

Watching this, Kushimaru laughed darkly as he walked toward them.

"Have you finished your goodbyes? What a shame. Your efforts are pointless—you're both going to die here."

Before he could say another word, Duy clenched his fist and struck himself in the chest. In an instant, red steam erupted around him, and then he vanished.

Boom!

Blood sprayed into the air as Kushimaru's upper body was obliterated in a single blow. The Seven Ninja Swordsmen, usually so arrogant, froze in shock.

Kushimaru—gone with one punch?

Feeling the immense, terrifying aura emanating from Duy, the remaining six were gripped with fear.

"Damn it!" Jūzō shouted, leaping back and holding his Kubikiribōchō in front of him. But the next flash of red light sent him flying as his blade was shattered in half by a single punch.

"Damn it! He's using a forbidden technique—everyone, attack together!" Fuguki yelled, charging at Duy with Samehada drawn.

The rest of the swordsmen rushed in, weapons aimed at the red-blazed figure of Duy. Yet compared to him, their movements were painfully slow.

Bam!

Bam!

Bam!

With each punch, one of the Seven fell. Jinin, Jinpachi, and Raiga were dead in seconds. Fuguki managed to survive one blow thanks to Samehada's healing, but even he was badly wounded.

Seeing his comrades fall, Fuguki knew he was outmatched and turned to flee with Samehada slung over his shoulder. Raiga had already taken off in the opposite direction the moment Fuguki had called the retreat.

The red aura finally faded, and Duy stood panting, his skin charred and cracked like burnt coal. His veins bulged, the blood inside flowing like molten lava, now cooling.

"Father!" Guy rushed to his father, sobbing, unsure of what to do.

Duy weakly lifted his arm, then let it fall back, life slipping away before he could say another word.

"Father!!!" Guy's heart broke as he cradled his father's lifeless body, questioning why there had to be so much death in the shinobi world. When would this chaotic era finally end?

At that moment, a shadow flickered above him. A figure appeared briefly, glancing down before throwing a kunai that embedded itself in the ground next to Guy, then disappearing just as quickly.

Guy stared, stunned. That figure… how could he be here?

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